Nondestructive assessment of freshness in packaged sliced chicken breasts using SW-NIR spectroscopy

A technique was developed to predict the freshness of packaged sliced chicken breast employing a nondestructive visible and short-wavelength near-infrared (SW-NIR) spectroscopy method. Spectra were recorded at 0, 7 and 14 days using a camera, spectral filter (400-1000 nm) and a halogen flood lighting system which were developed and calibrated for the purpose. Physicochemical, biochemical and microbiological properties such as moisture (x^w), water activity (a_w), pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), ATP breakdown compounds (K₁ values) and mesophilic bacteria (cfu g^− 1) were determined to predict freshness degradation. The spectra obtained were related to the storage time of the samples. The best wavelengths for modeling freshness were 413, 426, 449, 460, 473, 480, 499, 638, 942, 946, 967, 970 and 982 nm. A linear correlation was found between the visible and SW-NIR spectroscopy and parameters such as microbiological counts, K₁ and T-VBN indexes.     

Application of the general stability index method to predict quality deterioration in bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) heads during storage at different temperatures

A freshness index called the global stablity index (GSI) applicable to follow the variation of multi-quality indices of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) heads during different temperatures storage was evaluated. Quality indices (sensory score, total aerobic counts, volatile base nitrogen, and K value) were estimated and calculated into the single parameter GSI at −3, 0, 3, 9 and 15 °C. GSI was then kinetically modeled to describe the dependency of GSI with temperature and storage time. The calculated data of GSI were satisfactorily described by a zero order kinetic model. The activation energy (E_A) and the corresponding pre-exponential constant (k₀) of GSI were 85.61 kJ/mol and 1.14 × 10¹⁵, respectively. Relative errors between predicted and observed GSI values were all below 10% before the 15th day. Thus, the established model based on GSI could effectively predict the freshness of bighead carp heads at the range of −3 and 15 °C during different temperatures storage.     

Effects of milk concentration and freshness on microwave dielectric properties

The knowledge of dielectric properties may hold a potential to develop a new technique for quality evaluation of milk. The dielectric properties of water-diluted cow’s milk with milk concentrations from 70% to 100% stored during 36 h storage at 22 °C and 144 h at 5 °C were measured at room temperature for frequencies ranging from 10 to 4500 MHz using open-ended coaxial-line probe technology, along with electrical conductivity and pH value. The raw milk had the lowest dielectric constant when the frequency was higher than about 20 MHz, and had the highest loss factor at each frequency. The highest linear coefficient of determination, 0.995, between the milk concentration and the loss factor at 915 MHz was observed. The change tendency of the loss factor was inversed to pH during milk storage with the best linear correlation (R² = 0.983) at 1100 MHz. The loss factor can be an indicator in predicting milk concentration and freshness.     

Modelling quality changes in Songpu mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) fillets stored at chilled temperatures: comparison between Arrhenius model and log‐logistic model

To understand the quality changes in Songpu mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) fillets during chilled storage, sensory score, total aerobic counts (TAC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) and electrical conductivity (EC) of the fillets stored at 270, 273, 276, 282 and 288 K were investigated. Furthermore, both Arrhenius model and log‐logistic model were established to predict the quality changes. The high regression coefficients (R² > 0.90) represented the acceptability of both Arrhenius model and log‐logistic model. Relative errors between predicted values and observed values were all within ±5% for models based on EC, within ± 25% for models based on TAC and TVB‐N (except the TVB‐N value on 9th and 15th day). The relative errors of sensory score were all within ±35% in the first 9 days. It is concluded that both Arrhenius model and log‐logistic model based on EC, TAC or TVB‐N can be applied in modelling quality changes in Songpu mirror carp fillets during storage within 270–288 K.     

A nondestructive method for estimating freshness of freshwater fish

The traditional indictors of fish freshness including total aerobic count (TAC), K value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and sensory assessment (SA) were measured regularly to analyze the freshness changes during chill storage. Electric conduction property of whole fish was also studied by measuring their impedances under different frequencies as a fast nondestructive method. The relationship between traditional freshness indictors and electric conductivity was analyzed to determine the feasibility of evaluating fish freshness based on impedance change ratio (Q value) during storage. The results showed that traditional freshness indictors (TAC, K value, and TVB-N) values increased as storage time prolonged, while Q value and SA decreased. There were good relationships between Q value and TAC, K value, TVB-N, and SA (P < 0.01), with the correlation coefficients were 0.943, 0.996, 0.951, and 0.968, respectively. Thus, Q value can be used as a valid index for freshness evaluation and this method via measuring the electric conductivity property of whole fish is a fast nondestructive method for determining the freshness of fish during storage.     

An alternative freshness index method for modified atmosphere packaged abalone using an artificial neural network

An alternative freshness index method for abalone (Haliotis asinina) muscle packaged under atmospheric air (Air) and modified atmosphere (MA) of 40% CO₂: 30% O₂: 30% N₂ packaging conditions and stored at 2 ± 1 °C was developed. Biochemical indices covering pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA) and nucleotide degradation products, as well as instrumental texture and color of the packaged abalones, were determined. Sensory characteristics including odor, color and appearance were evaluated and then summarized into overall freshness scores (freshness index). The biochemical and instrumental analyses were then calibrated with the freshness index, using an artificial neural network algorithm. The neural network was shown to be capable of correlating biochemical and instrumental analyses with the freshness index. A useful prediction was possible, as measured by a low mean square error (MSE = 0.092) and a regression coefficient (R² = 0.98) between true and predicted data.     

Hypoxanthine-based enzymatic sensor for determination of pork meat freshness

An enzyme sensor employing xanthine oxidase (XO), soluble or immobilised, in combination of an oxygen electrode has been developed and optimised to determinate the hypoxanthine (Hx) content in pork meat at different post-mortem times as measure of meat freshness. The amperometric signal obtained due to the oxygen depletion during the Hx oxidation was related with the consumed oxygen at 190 s in the soluble enzyme sensor or enzymatic rate at 10 s in the immobilised enzyme sensor. In both cases a linear relationship between the signal and the Hx concentration in the range 8.68–26.05 μM (R² = 0.999) and 15.63–127 μM. (R² = 0.995), respectively, was found. Both enzyme sensors exhibited very good working conditions and storage stability. A study of Hx oxidation was carried out in order to compare the Hx content measured by both sensors and those measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) obtaining a good agreement between both techniques. Therefore, the easy preparation and operation of both enzyme sensors suggests a reliable, rapid and an economical alternative for simple or multiple Hx measurements constituting a useful tool as quality control of meat freshness.     

Sensory,physical, chemical and microbiological changes in aquacultured meagre (Argyrosomus regius) fillets during ice storage

Commercial-sized meagre fillets were stored on ice at 4 °C for 18 days, in order to evaluate the loss of quality and freshness that occurs over this period of time. Physicochemical (pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), trimethylamine (TMA), water activity, water-holding capacity, colour, texture and fatty acid profile), sensory and microbiological analyses were carried out at 0, 4, 7, 11, 14 and 18 days of storage. As part of the sensory analysis, attributes associated with fillet appearance, odour and texture were examined. Variations in pH, TBA, TVBN and TMA were observed throughout the storage period, although only TBA displayed a significant correlation with time (r = 0.96). L^∗ and b^∗ values increased, and the chroma and hue values decreased, reflecting the colour changes experienced by the fillets over time. With regards to the texture profile, hardness was significantly correlated with time (−0.68). All the sensory analysis attributes exhibited significant variations and correlations close to 1.00 with storage time, which is a reflection of the fillets’ loss of freshness. The correlation coefficients between aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, enterobacteria and coliform counts on the one hand and storage time on the other were also very high (0.99–1.00). A regression analysis using the acceptability limit set by the ICMSF standard (1986) for total aerobic mesophilic counts (7 log cfu/g) yielded a shelf-life for meagre fillets of 9 days. The TBA, sensory and microbiological analyses displayed very strong correlations with storage time, and they may be considered suitable indicators for evaluating meagre fillet spoilage during refrigerated storage.     

Rapid freshness evaluation of cow milk at different storage temperatures using in situ electrical conductivity measurement

The present study investigated the efficacy of in situ electrical conductivity measurement was evaluated to estimate the freshness of cow milk. Accordingly, the same for the refrigerated milk (5 °C) gradually increased from 0.505 to 0.610 S/m during 42 days, whereas that for the milk stored at room temperature (20 °C) promptly increased from 0.708 to 1.195 S/m during 30 days. In the empirical model, the electrical conductivity freshness index (EF_i) presented a good correlation between pH and microbial growth with the freshness parameters. In the pH analysis, the EF_i could predict the pH decline in spoiled milk with a non-linear curve. Likewise, the growth of total aerobic bacteria (TAB) at 20 °C exhibited a good correlation with EF_i (ß₂ coefficient and R² values of 9.330 and of 0.977, respectively). This study thus demonstrated the practical application of in situ electrical conductivity measurement for rapid prediction of milk freshness during storage.Industrial relevance textIn the cold change system of milk, rapid assessment of freshness has its significance for food safety. Conventional evaluation of milk freshness required the analytical equipment, trained technician, labor, and time. Electrical conductivity measurement could represent the freshness of foods associated with pH changes and microbial growth. This study proposed the potential of electrical conductivity measurement for rapid assessment of milk freshness.     

Microbiological quality of bulk tank raw milk in Prince Edward Island dairy herds

The objectives of this study were to evaluate microbiological quality of bulk tank milk in Prince Edward Island, to evaluate correlation among milk quality criteria, and to determine seasonal effects on milk quality parameters. Bulk tank raw milk quality was evaluated on all Prince Edward Island dairy herds (n = 235) over a 2-yr period (March 2005 to March 2007). Biweekly total aerobic (TAC), preliminary incubation (PIC), laboratory pasteurization, and coliform (CC) counts were determined using a Petrifilm culture system. Additionally, bulk tank somatic cell count was determined weekly. The mean and median values were 12.8 × 10³ and 4.9 × 10³ cfu/mL for TAC, 29.6 × 10³ and 13 × 10³ cfu/mL for PIC, 87 and 12 cfu/mL for laboratory pasteurization count, 21 and 5 cfu/mL for CC, and 218 × 10³ and 187 × 10³ cells/mL for somatic cell count. There was moderate correlation (0.57) between TAC and PIC. All other correlation coefficients were low (<0.26). Correlation results suggest that a single quality parameter could not predict others used in this study. Seasonal data indicate that 1) in general, all counts tended to be low in winter, 2) the CC and somatic cell count were always high in summer, and 3) TAC tended to be high during summer.     

Nondestructive determination of salmon fillet freshness during storage at different temperatures by electronic nose system combined with radial basis function neural networks

This study develops a predictive model for determining freshness of salmon fillets during cold storage at different temperatures using electronic nose combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs). The electronic nose sensed ammonia/amines, hydrocarbons, solvents and aromatics that increased during storage. The concentrations of the volatiles were compared with the increased thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), total aerobic bacteria count (TAC) and decreased of sensory assessments (SA). Gas chromatograph–ion mobility spectrometry analysis confirmed the changes in gas species. RBFNNs and PCA were used to establish predictive models and the relative errors of TBA, TVB-N and TAC by the PCA-RBFNNs model were all within ±10% and SA was within ±15%. These results suggest that the PCA-RBFNNs model can be used to predict changes in the freshness of salmon fillets stored at −2 to 10 °C.     

Kinetic modeling of quality changes of chilled ready to serve lasagna

Pre-cooked pasta, in particular lasagna, plays an important role in the market of chilled ready to serve meals. In this work we analyzed the evolution of the most important physical and sensory quality attributes of lasagna sheets during their refrigerated storage, at 0, 4 and 10 °C. The quality of ready meals deteriorates with storage time, and food loses its freshness condition. The same behavior was observed for all analyzed characteristics: as the storage temperature increases, reaction rate (measured by the kinetic constant and activation energy) also increases, confirming the influence of temperature in quality loss. Besides, overall acceptability was the more sensitive attribute to temperature changes, with Q₁₀ equal to 4, indicating an indirect but strong dependence of consumers’ opinion on storage temperature.     

Establishment of quality predictive models for bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) fillets during storage at different temperatures

Quality predictive models were developed to predict the freshness of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) fillets during storage at different temperatures. Quality indices [sensory score, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), total aerobic counts (TAC) and K value] at ?3, 0, 3, 9 and 15 °C were estimated and kinetically modelled by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy (E_A) of sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value was 78.17, 75.93, 106.53 and 76.21 kJ mol^?1, and the corresponding rate constants (k₀) were 1.16 × 10¹⁵, 2.60 × 10¹⁴, 4.05 × 10¹⁹ and 1.36 × 10¹⁵. The high regression coefficients (R² > 0.87) indicated the acceptability of the zero‐order reaction for sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value. Relative errors between predicted and observed freshness indicators values of sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value were all below 10% except the values at 6th day of K value, 3rd day and 9th day of TVB‐N. These results indicated that the models based on sensory score, TVB‐N, TAC and K value could effectively predict the freshness indicators of bighead carp fillets at the range of ?3 to 15 °C.     

Impact of selected factors – Cultivar,storage, cooking and baking on the content of anthocyanins in coloured-flesh potatoes

The impact of selected factors – cultivar, storage, cooking and baking on the content of total anthocyanins (TAC) in coloured-flesh potato cultivars has been studied. TAC ranged from 248.5 to 2257.8 mg kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM). TAC difference between cultivars was statistically significant. Cold storage (4 °C) influenced TAC differentially. In the Violette and Highland Burgundy Red cultivars TAC increased by 18.5% and 12.1% respectively, and in the Valfi cultivar it decreased by 33.9%. Baking increased TAC 3.34 times whereas cooking in boiled water increased it 4.22 times. Correlation between antioxidant activity (AOA) and TAC (r² = 0.659) has been found. The Violette, Vitelotte and Highland Burgundy Red cultivars with the highest TAC showed high AOA and the Shetland Black cultivar and the cultivars Salad Blue and Blue Congo with a “marbled” texture showed the lowest TAC and AOA. Individual anthocyanidins are fingerprints of colour-fleshed potato cultivars.     

Evaluation of freshness decay of minced beef stored in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaged at different temperatures using NIR and MIR spectroscopy

Meat freshness has been monitored by various microbiological, chemical and sensorial indices. However, these methods are slow and not suited to automation. Infrared spectroscopy is one of the most convenient analytical tools which could be used to monitor the evolution of food quality. The aim of this work was to investigate the ability of both NIR (Near Infrared) and MIR (Mid Infrared) spectroscopy to follow meat freshness decay. The minced beef was packaged in high-oxygen modified atmosphere (30% CO₂ and 70% O₂) and stored at three temperatures. Spectra were collected by Fourier-Transformation (FT)-NIR and FT-IR instruments. PCA, applied to the data, was able to discriminate samples on the basis of storage time and temperature. The modelling of PC scores versus time allowed the setting of the time of initial freshness decay for the samples (6–7 days at 4.3 °C, 2–3 days at 8.1 °C and less than 1 day at 15.5 °C).     

Determination of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content and Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) in pork using Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy

Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content is one of important index of pork’s freshness, and Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) is seen as the important index of pork’s tenderness. This paper attempted the feasibility to determine TVB-N content and WBSF in pork by Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy. Synergy interval partial least square (SI-PLS) algorithm was performed to calibrate regression model. The number of PLS factors and the number of intervals were optimised simultaneously by cross-validation. The performance of the model was evaluated according to two correlation coefficients (R) in calibration and prediction sets. Experimental results showed that the correlations coefficients in the calibration set (R_c) and prediction set (R_p) were achieved as follows: R_c = 0.8398 and R_p = 0.8084 for TVB-N content model; R_c = 0.7533 and R_p = 0.7041 for WBSF model. The overall results demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy combined with SI-PLS could be utilised to determinate TVB-N content and WBSF in pork.     

Effect of a combined treatment of rice bran protein film packaging with aqueous chlorine dioxide washing and ultraviolet-C irradiation on the postharvest quality of ‘Goha’ strawberries

To investigate the effects of postharvest treatments on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) quality, a combination of non-thermal treatments was investigated as a potential hurdle technique. Specifically, ‘Goha’ strawberry samples were treated with 50 ppm aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) and 5 kJ/m² ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation and packed with rice bran protein (RBP) film containing 1% grapefruit seed extract (GSE). The initial population of total aerobic bacteria in the strawberries was 3.15 log CFU/g, while that of samples treated with ClO₂/UV-C and packed with RBP film containing GSE was 1.64 log CFU/g. In terms of yeast and mold populations, the control had 2.98 log CFU/g, while the samples treated with the combined non-thermal processing and packed with the RBP film had 1.09 log CFU/g. In addition, after 11 days of storage, combined non-thermal treatment with RBP film packaging reduced the initial populations of total aerobic bacteria and of yeast and molds in the strawberries by 2.63 and 2.84 log CFU/g, respectively. Titratable acidity (TA) in the strawberries decreased during storage, but there was no significant difference among treatments. Postharvest treatments employed in this study produced a negligible change in the color of the strawberries, and sensory evaluation results indicated that the combined postharvest treatments provided better sensory scores compared with the control group. Therefore, these results suggest that a postharvest treatment consisting of 50 ppm ClO₂/5 kJ/m² UV-C with RBP film packaging containing GSE may be useful for maintaining the quality of ‘Goha’ strawberries.     

Shelf-life extension of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) using natural preservatives during chilled storage

The effect of the natural preservatives, tea polyphenols and rosemary extract, on microbiological [total viable count (TVC)], chemical [pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), K-value and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values], texture and sensory changes of air-packaged whole crucian carp (Carassius auratus) stored at 4 ± 1 °C was investigated for 20 days. The shelf-life of crucian carp was found to be 7–8 days for untreated group (control), 13–14 days for tea polyphenols group and 15–16 days for rosemary extract treated group according to sensory assessment results, for which the corresponding microbiological assessment also showed an increased shelf-life. Meanwhile, the increases of pH, TVB-N, K-value and TBA values were significantly delayed in both treated groups of samples compared to the control group. Thus, either tea polyphenols or rosemary extract could be used as potential preservatives to extend the shelf-life of crucian carp during chilled storage.     

The effect of thawing methods on the quality of eels (Anguilla anguilla)

Physical (colour), chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid values (TBA)) and microbiological (total aerobic mesophylic bacteria, salmonella, coliform, yeast and mould counts) analyses were carried out on thawed European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Different thawing treatments were used (in a refrigerator, in water, in air at ambient temperature and in a microwave oven). The results obtained were compared statistically with those of fresh fish. pH, TBA and a^∗ values of thawed samples usually decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when compared to the fresh control. Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples. Coliform and mould counts of fresh control and thawed samples were <1 CFU/g. Total aerobic mesophylic bacteria count of all thawed fish decreased. However, the yeast count of the refrigerator–thawed samples increased. The lowest total aerobic mesophylic bacteria and yeast counts were determined in water–thawed samples. Water thawing is therefore suitable for frozen eel.